CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It was Sept. 1 and Carolina Panthers left guard Chris Reed had received confirmation from a second test that he had COVID-19. He was exhausted from overnight worry that he might have given his pregnant wife the virus, and what that meant for her and their unborn child.
He also was worried the time away from the team might cost him his first legitimate chance to be a full-time starter in the NFL. Or maybe his chance of earning a roster spot at all.
Then he saw his wife, Anna, standing at the back of his house as he stopped by to pick up a few things before heading to the hotel to quarantine.